Hitting Hard in Rugby: The Dump Tackle What you need to know: Tackling is a key element in the game of rugby. Tackling your opponent effectively can result in an important play for your team such as making a try, turning over the ball, or causing a knock on. Just as important, tackling effectively aids in earning respect from your opposition.
Rugby is a possession sport, unlike American football, which is played for yardage. The key point is to get the runner to the ground so that the ball must be released from their possession. While tackling is a general part of play, dump tackling is a very extreme technique and should be used especially in situations when:

your opponent is running very near to you

your opponent is running straight at you

Steps

Method1

Mental Preparation

1

Remember, not every dump tackle will be like the ones you see on youtube, even if you drive them back just a little, and lift them up just a small height, the rush and the tackle will be brilliant.

2

Commit to the hit. Commitment is 90% of a proper and successful tackle. You have to have intent and confidence. Serious injury can occur if commitment is lacking, not only on your body but also on your ego.

3

Look and track the ball. While doing this keep in mind who and where your mark is. Visualize their future move.

4

Imagine a circle around the player you are going to tackle. You MUST put your foot in this circle before tackling to ensure proper body position.

Method2

Initializing Contact

1

Run toward your opponent at pace and have low body position, bending at the knees. A low body position ensures a hard hit and excellent center of gravity. High tackles equal penalties from the referee.

2

As your driving foot steps into your opponents circle, center the tip of your shoulder on your opponent’s midsection. Make sure you use the shoulder on the same side as your driving foot. i.e. right foot/right shoulder.

3

Keep your arms raised, elbows out, and your head on the outside of the tackle.

4

Run through the tackle with streaming forward momentum. Your tackle should NOT stop at contact.

5

Using your momentum, wrap your arms around the ball carrier’s thighs and drive forward and upward, lifting the opponent a short distance off of the ground and to the side.

6

Forcibly drive your wrapped opponent to the ground with you, landing them on the flat of their back.

7

Quickly stand up and be ready for the next play. Feel the rush of a great tackle.

Things You'll Need

A mouth guard is a must. A mouth guard greatly reduces the chances of a concussion by stopping your teeth from smashing into each other and rattling your skull. And we can't forget about protecting those pearly whites. Playing rugby without a guard will surely result in high dentistry bills and possibly worse.

Boots (cleats) must be worn on the pitch to allow for adequate grip and changing direction.